Letters to the Editor

This month's lucky (and fearless) newt spotter will receive a 10" x 10" print, framed and matted with non-glare glass, from Sunny Valley Creations of Columbia, N.H. (www.sunnyvalleycreations.com). The photo of Beaver Brook Falls in Colebrook was taken by Roxanne Herres.

Sun Valley Creations is a proud member of NH Made (www.nhmade.com), the state's official non-profit booster of locally generated products and services. (Just for the record, New Hampshire Magazine is a proud member, too.)

Spot four newts hidden on ads in this issue, tell us where you found them and you might win an assortment of great gifts. To enter our drawing for a free gift basket, send your answers to

Spot the Newt

c/o New Hampshire Magazine

150 Dow St.

Manchester, NH 03101

E-mail them to newt@nhmagazine.com, or fax them to (603) 624-1310.

Last month's "Spot the Newt" winner is Richard Tremaine of Berlin.

December issue newts were on pages 7, 30, 35 and 83.

Letters to the Editor

Jeff's Excellent Adventure

After reading "Travels with Steinbeck" by Jeff Woodburn, I felt compelled to go out and buy a copy of "Travels with Charley."

Though I read it as a teenager, your story piqued my interest and I look forward to reading it again. Mr. Woodburn's adventure was equally interesting and well-told. More from this fellow, please!

Marilyn deLozier

Whitefield

Where's Wally?

I'm a reader, out here in Iowa, who's interested in finding the Mr. Wally Baker who was mentioned in the "Travels With Steinbeck" story in the November issue. He makes small souvenir pulp trucks. I've tried Googling for "Wally Baker, Randolph, New Hampshire" and get no results. Ditto for "Alan Lowe, Randolph" yet that is my best guess, given the details of the article. Please help.

Our Episcopal church in Cedar Rapids is so fortunate as to have an 85-year-old dynamo who hails from Maine. She'd be pleased to have the truck - with the accompanying article as a Christmas remembrance. If you're too busy to trace this thread to its source, could you forward my query on to the right person?

Ginger Hansen

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Editor's Note: Wally Baker has no website to our knowledge, and he mostly sells his items locally. He can be reached by phone at (603) 788-4898 or by mail at 35 Kilkenny St., Lancaster, NH 03584-3023.

Oysterman Happy as a Clam

What a surprise to read the oyster farming article [November 2010] and realize that the farmer is an old friend of my two sons from high school in Topsfield, Mass. I'm not overly surprised at his choice of careers, as he was one of their friends that we all knew would never have a job that would require him to be chained to a desk. Happy to hear that he is successful and happy working at an occupation that is obviously suited to his lifestyle. Wishing him the best of luck.

I retired two years ago and moved to North Conway. I grew up here in the '40s and '50s so I'm just coming home again after about 50 years. It's great to be back. Love your magazine.

Jim Doig

North Conway

Cover Charge

My copy of the December issue of New Hampshire Magazine arrived today, and I could not believe what was on the cover - a provocative-looking 20-year-old in stilletos and skin-tight jeans slyly looking at you, inferring she wanted some "Joy to the Earth."

This cover is in extremely poor taste and is making a joke of what Christmas and the holiday season is supposed to be about. I have enjoyed your magazine for a number of years, but your covers are becoming more and more tacky. This one is the worst. How about a nice winter scene with lighted trees or a photo of a picturesque New Hampshire village?

Sue Holtham

Salem

Ditto

I've been a subscriber for about five years and enjoy your magazine. But ... this month's cover is lame! You don't need a pretty girl to sell the benefits of New Hampshire. Please don't continue this cheap trend.

Cathy Pawelczyk

Exeter

You can see the cover in question by clicking here. The photo was taken by John Hession, and the cover model is Shannon Thibodeau of Canaan.

Not Quite Right

As the only county-wide historical society in New Hampshire, the Historical Society of Cheshire County always appreciates being mentioned in NH Magazine. Barbara Radcliffe Rogers' column "Road Trip" has such a reference in your November 2010 issue. Unfortunately, both the Society's name and its website address are incorrect and no specific physical address is noted.

We invite residents and visitors alike to come to the Historical Society of Cheshire County (not the Cheshire County Historical Society as mentioned in the column) to explore our research library with over 300,000 local history items - books, manuscripts, photographs, maps and microfilms; our collections - in addition to the Barry Faulkner works mentioned in the column, there are paintings by other local artists, prints, pottery, glass, toys, silver and more; our museum store with books, DVDs, gift items related to local history, family tree posters and genealogical aids; our permanent and feature exhibits; and our educational programs at the Society and at our Wyman Tavern Museum. We are located at 246 Main St. in Keene, across from Keene State College. Find us online at www.hsccnh.org or contact us by phone at (603) 352-1895. There is no admission fee. We do encourage folks to become members and join us in collecting, preserving and communicating the history of Cheshire County.

Alan Rumrill

Executive Director

Stoddard

On the Mark

I don't think I've taken the time yet to thank Susan Laughlin for the wonderful article she wrote about the N.H. Food Bank Recipe for Success culinary job training program [December "Cuisine" 2010]. The article is on the mark and the photos are wonderful. I have already received calls from potential students and others who saw the piece. Thank you for taking the time to learn more about us and highlighting us in a such a positive way.

Helen E. Costello

New Hampshire Food Bank

Funspot Footage

Regarding your "Upfront" bit on Pac-Man record holder, Billy Mitchell [December 2010]: Readers who grew up in the midst of the '80s video revolution will enjoy the documentary, "The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters" (available through Netflix). Much of the footage takes place at Funspot, Weirs Beach. But even more interesting is the adolescent behavior of these video junkies as adults. Good entertainment all around!

Nikki Savramis

Portsmouth

Not Stillwater

I was pleased to see your article about Marianne Stillwagon's paintings and crafts [December 2010] since I met her recently at a craft show. It is very unfortunate that you called her Stillwater throughout the article, however. Haste makes waste, as they say.

Jane Sodders

Amherst

Spirited Response

Please accept this belated thank-you for the beautiful article in the September issue entitled "The Spirit of Stones." I have heard many positive comments from readers.

Michael Hathaway

This article appears in the March 2011 issue of New Hampshire Magazine